Readers respond to our question about California political corruption: Letters

California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D- Sacramento, right, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, confer after a vote introducing a resolution to suspend three Democrats who face charges in criminal cases on the floor of the Senate in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2014. The resolution, which passed 28-1, prevents Democratic Sens. Ron Calderon, Leland Yee and Rod Wright from exercising any power of their office until the pending criminal cases against them have been resolved.(AP Photo/Steve Yeater)

We asked readers: How can California prevent more corruption in state politics?

Voters have to take action to clean up government

Unfortunately, corruption is rampant. The powers in California politics, ranging from the Capitol to local governments, are not concerned about their actions because they’re given a pass for their outrageous behavior, making them feel above the law because they only receive a slap on the wrist, a suspension with pay, with pensions intact. They are unrepentant and rarely fired, so they don’t fear that their jobs are in jeopardy.

The money flows from overinflated salaries, too many perks and lobbyists injecting themselves into politics regarding who is heading this or that committee, and deals are cut before votes are taken.

In the past, there was shame attached to a sleight of hand and resignation was a given.

Not anymore. Anything goes and we as voters can only have our say by making sure we vote. Every vote counts!

Unless we clean house, nothing will change and corruption will continue. I feel cheated when I think about how these corrupt senators can pass bills at my expense.

— Pamela Franklin, Granada Hills

Part-time legislatures best

Change the rules to allow penalties to be placed on legislators depending on their crimes, up to and including termination and loss of any state benefits.

Our full-time Legislature seems to be a breeding ground for corruption. Maybe we need to go back to a part-time Legislature, as had before 1966. What we have now is not a benefit to the taxpayers, it is a burden and embarrassment.

There are 10 states that have full-time legislatures. In 2012, Reuters listed the 10 states that are the most in debt — and nine have full-time legislatures. California was listed as No. 1, with a debt of $617 billion. In comparing unemployment numbers, the 22 states with the lowest unemployment numbers all have part-time legislatures.

It seems the main job of a full-time legislature is to drive its state into debt, while driving jobs out of state and looking out for special-interest groups.

— Jerry Griffin, Long Beach

Make penalties harsher

California must consistently institute the idea of imprisonment, condemnation and financial penalties.

Imprisonment: If convicted, a term of 10 years shall be served and any money earned during incarceration should be donated to the state’s general fund. Condemnation: Let us not forget. The names of the perpetrators must be emblazoned on polished, bronze plaques and be hung in the state’s rotunda. Money-based penalties: Absolutely no salaries or per diem should be paid after charges have been made. The salaries should be held in suspense until the case’s conclusion.

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Guilty? Forfeit the money. Not guilty? Receive the money in suspension. No money shall be received during appeals periods, and if the accused is convicted, all retirement money should also be donated to the state’s general fund.

— Dominic DiGiamarino, Upland

Take out the incumbents

I don’t know how to control corruption in the California Legislature, so I’m going to use the power of my vote to speak for me. In upcoming elections, I will vote against all incumbents.

Defenders of “honest” legislators will argue that punishes all for the sins of a few. The problem with that is, the senators still in office are complicit — they won’t take action and expel those senators who have lost the public trust. Maybe their timidity stems from them having facts about their actions while in office that they want to keep hidden.

Whatever the case, my ignorance compels me to vote against all incumbents in my district and hope all California voters will do the same.

— Bill Muth, Whittier

Press must be vigilant

Corruption in politics is a given. Only the fear of getting caught limits it. We must have a separate, independent authority to constantly check for fraud and corruption. And that’s the job of a free and vigilant press.

— Dick Ettington, Palos Verdes Peninsula

Hold violators accountable

One significant way to discourage political corruption would be to see that when any governmental employee — elected, appointed or hired — is charged with a felony, that individual is immediately suspended at half-pay, then upon conviction, removed from office and forced to forfeit all benefits earned to date. This includes life and health insurance, pension, and all accumulated but unused pay accruals.

No government agency, money or resources could be used to defend the charged employee. Anyone convicted of a felony while serving in office should never again be eligible to hold any governmental office nor ever be able to contract for any governmental duty.

— Walt Haddock, San Gabriel

Lower lawmakers’ pay

Our legislative members should be limited to a shorter work schedule, making less of our taxpayer dollars. They should go through yearly audits and be held responsible for their costs.